ARTICLES ABOUT MCHENRY COUNTY BY DATE - PAGE 2

Kent McKenzie, emergency management coordinator for Lake County, said that slush and snow caused hazardous driving conditions early today. "We had many, many cars off the road and in ditches, especially in the northern half of the county," he said. "We had an inch of slush and then three inches of really wet snow (on top of that). " While conditions improved as the slush melted, some side streets and driveways remain treacherous, he said. Meanwhile, "the wind is definitely what we are most concerned about for the remainder of the day," McKenzie said.

Two men charged in connection with unrelated homicides and arrested in Las Vegas appeared in McHenry County Circuit Court today, and one indicated he will post bond to get out of jail, authorities said. Michael Romano was charged last month with first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, Nick Romano, 71, and Gloria Romano, 65, at their home near Crystal Lake in 2006. Romano had told police he had found his parents with gunshot wounds to the back of their heads, but authorities said the house security alarm had been set, there were no signs of a struggle, and nothing was stolen.

Marie Ann Vos believed every child should have the opportunity to feel the joy of performing music, a passion she developed as a youngster and later while playing with her high school band in Minnesota. A longtime resident of Crystal Lake, Mrs. Vos founded the McHenry County Youth Orchestras in 1980, a nonprofit that grew from one orchestra to three orchestras for players of various skill levels. She also conducted the Prelude Orchestra, the beginning level ensemble, established an associated community music school, and served as executive director of the organization that grew into the McHenry County Music Center.

Authorities said today they are looking for a Crystal Lake man in connection with a drug conspiracy case that already has resulted in the arrest of five people. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Terry R. Pugh, 24, whose last known address was the 200 block of Uteg Street in Crystal Lake, according to a release from the McHenry County Sheriff's Office. Pugh also has been placed on the top 10 list of those wanted by the McHenry County Sheriff's Office, the release said. Pugh faces felony charges of unlawful calculated criminal drug conspiracy and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, authorities said.

A man who stole a private ambulance from a Rockford hospital parking lot Wednesday afternoon was arrested several hours later in northwest suburban Belvidere after the ambulance was found ditched in McHenry County, police said. Paul Chandler, 51, stole the Metro Medical Services, Inc., ambulance from the emergency parking lot of Rockford Memorial Hospital about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to a release from Rockford police. He faces charges of aggravated assault of a police officer and motor vehicle theft and was expected to appear for a bond hearing this afternoon, according to Winnebago County Jail records.

A Lake in the Hills man pleaded not guilty today to predatory criminal sexual assault, court records show. Otto Bobadilla, 47, is accused of assaulting two victims under the ages of 13 and 18, respectively, according to court documents. The alleged abuse dates to 2008, according to court documents. Bobadilla was taken into custody on Nov. 19 and is being held in the McHenry County jail on $400,000 bond. After his initial arrest, Bobadilla was charged with additional counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, records show.

A former McHenry County sheriff's deputy is expected to enter a guilty plea Friday stemming from 2012 allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation of a child. Gregory Pyle, 38, faces federal charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and producing child pornography. Pyle pleaded not guilty after he was charged in August 2012, but a change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for Friday in federal court in Rockford, according to federal authorities and court documents. The accusations against Pyle became public in January 2012, when McHenry County prosecutors charged him with predatory criminal sexual assault of a juvenile.

A businessman and former member of the McHenry County Board will represent the county on the Regional Transportation Authority starting in January. Blake Hobson, 51, of Lakewood, was named by County Board Chairwoman Tina Hill to replace longtime Republican politician Al Jourdan on the RTA board of directors. Hobson said he hoped to ensure that McHenry County gets fair representation when it comes to public transportation. "Certain municipalities get no service whatsoever," Hobson told the Tribune.

A man who beat his girlfriend to death while he was in a drunken rage over the 2012 St. Patrick's Day holiday was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder by a McHenry County jury. Robert Signorile, 44, a carpenter with a long history of alcohol abuse, faces 20 to 60 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend of about eight years, Michelle Mathieu, 52. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 24. In closing arguments, prosecutors said Mathieu's death was not the result of a fall because of her own heavy drinking, as the defense has maintained, but followed a ruthless beating by Signorile.

Two prominent, once-friendly families packed into a McHenry County courtroom Thursday as a member of one clan was sentenced to 26 years for the murder of the other's kin. Mario Casciaro, 30, was found guilty in April of first-degree murder with intimidation in the disappearance and presumed slaying of Brian Carrick in 2002, when they were teenage co-workers at a grocery store in far northwest suburban Johnsburg. Prosecutors say another co-worker delivered the fatal punch to the 17-year-old Carrick inside a walk-in cooler at the store, which was co-owned by Casciaro's family and across the street from the Carrick home.